Diaphragm pump



Aug. 1, 1944.

E. F. LOWEKE DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed May 29, 1945 M M m 6 3 a 6 MI 0 MIN?\5 M Q BTTOBNEX Patented Aug. 1, g

Erwin F. Loweke, Detroit, Mlcln, assignor to Bydraulic Brake Company,Detroit, Micln, a corporation or California Application May 29, 1943,Serial No. 489,042 Claims. (Cl. 103-150) This invention relates to fluidpump and more particularly to' the diaphragm structure and arrangementthereof. I

Heretofore fluid pumpswi the diaphragm type have not proved satisfactoryfor certain heavyduty uses, and it is the aim of this invention toprovide an effective as well as economical diaphragm fluid pump.

The present invention is concerned primarily Y with the employment of aflexible diaphragm of rubber, or like material, as the pumping agent fora fluid pump, and of so utilizing the resilient and flowing qualities ofrubber as to provide =ior a highlyv efflcient pumping. action. In soutilizing the normal characteristics of rubber, a diaphragm of sumcientbulk has been devised whereby energy is stored therein upon distortionor deflection thereof, operative to provide for the power stroke of thepump. With abuild up in pressure by the pump to a predetermined figure,

the diaphragm acts tofautomatically cut off the pump action inasmuch asthe energy stored in the diaphragm would not be sufllcient to over comethe pressure resistance.

An object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pump having adiaphragm wherein, upon suction stroke of the pump, an ample amount ofenergy is stored in the diaphragm due to the loaded distortion thereofto provide for a pumping stroke or the pump.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawing forming partof this specification, and in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional viewof one embodiment of the nuiepump: a

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in section, illustrating the pump diaphragmin compressed position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the outlet valve of the pump;and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the inlet valve of the pump.

Referring to the drawing for more specific details of the invention; Illrepresents generally a fluid pump includinga irusto-conically shapedcylinder l2 adapted to be mounted in a fixed vertical position. Thecylinder has an open end,

' and its other end is closed as by a valve body It a suction stroke ofthe pump, power is stored in v the diaphragm effective to' provide for apower stroke of the pump.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pump havinga flexible diaphragm operative to efl'ect an automatic cut-off of thepump.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pump havinga frusto-conically shaped diaphragm.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pumpcomprising a resilient diaphragm, a member for supporting the diaphragmat its base, anda suction-stroke power-driven plunger for the diaphragmhaving its'peripheral area bonded thereto, the diaphragm being actuatedduring the suction stroke of the pump and thereby storing energy toprovide for the. power stroke or the pump.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pumphaving a diaphragm comagainst its seat by a spring 24, the wholecomprising a heady and a base section, said base sec-1 tion having ahollow central portion providing for uniform annular cross-sectionalarea or the base soas to allow for greater flexibility or the diaphragm.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pumpphragm of considerable bulk wherein, upon ahaving a, resilient diahavingports l8 and ilcommunicating with one another by way of a chamber 20. Aconnection 22 threaded in thevalve body I4 has a passage 24 therethroughcommunicating with the chamber 20 controlled as by a valve 28 normallyheld prising the inlet valve assembly of the pump. A connectionconnected passages 32 and 34 therethrough communicating by way or achamber 36 with port cates with a fluid pressure accumulator or anysuitable pressure actuated mechanism, not shown, to be actuated by thepump-created fluid pressure.

The cylinder 12 communicating with the valve body l4 by way of a port 42includes a chamber 44 bounded by an interior conically shaped wall 46of-the cylinder, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A diaphragm 4! of rubber or other suitable resilient material, providedw th a i'msto-conically shaped exterior ll conforming to the wall 4 ofthe cylinder and having an annular skirt 8!, is

mounted on and bonded at I4 to a ring I, which 30, similarto connection22,'is threaded in the valvefbody l4, and hasinter- 2 2,s54,9ss

in turn is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cylinder [2.

The diaphragm 48 is provided with a concentric passage 58 forthe'reception of a. plunger 80 phragm.

In a normal operation, upon downward actuation of the plunger 60; viz:the suction strokes of the pump, fluid is drawn from the fluid supplysource past the valve 26 through the chamber 20, passage l6,'and port42, into chamber 44 ahead of the plunger and diaphragm. At theconclusion of the suction stroke, with the plunger and diaphragm in theposition illustrated by Fig. 2, wherein the diaphragm has been placedunder a compressive force, the pump diaphragm is prepared to begin itspower stroke with the consequent creation of pressure ahead of thediaphragm and the expulsion of the fluid from chamber 55, through port42, chamber 20, port l8, past valve 38, and through passages 32 and 34to the mechanism to be actuated thereby. The

diaphragm 48 is bonded at 54 to provide an effective seal and therebyprevent the seepage of fluid around the diaphragm.

Upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure on the fluid in thepump, the diaphragm automatically becomes inactive to cut out the pumpuntil the pressure again falls below the predetermined amount, when onceagain the diaphragm fluctuates in accordance with theenergy storedtherein. It will be observed from this that th pump operates variably,depending on the pressure stored and the set predetermined pressure.

It will be noted that the diaphragm comprises a sufllcient body ofrubber or like material to absorb the necessary power during the suctionstroke, during which it is confined externally by the encircling conicalwall of the pump body, while it is free to flow inwardly, as necessary.The diaphragm when so deflected is in effect a reservoir of sufiicientpower to operate the pump on its pumping stroke, thereby eliminating theusual return spring. The more the rubber of thediaphragm is compressed,the more effectively does it act as a seal.

While this invention has been described in connection with certainspecific embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerousother applications that will readily occur to persons skilled in theart. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fluid pump, a cylinder having a closed end and an open end, afrusto-conical diaphragm having its base supported in the open end ofthe cylinder, and means for actuating the diaphragm solely during asuction strok of the pump, the apex of the diaphragm being the pressurehead of the pump.

2. In a fluid pump, a frusto-conical diaphragm adapted to be actuatedduring a suction stroke of the pump and operable under its own power toprovide for the power stroke of the pump.

3. A fluid pump comprising a pump body having valves associatedtherewith, a pump element movable with respect to said body, and a dia--phragm of considerable bulk and of rubber material sealing said elementto said body and stressed by suction movement of said element, saiddiaphragm acting resiliently to operate said element on itspumping-stroke, said diaphragm having a generally conical exteriorsurface and said body being formed to embrace said surface and confinethe diaphragm while it is stressed on the suction stroke.

4. A pump comprising a cylinder having a conical chamber, a flexiblediaphragm seated therein and held against displacement, and a plungertherefor operative to place the diaphragm under compression.

5. A pump comprising a cylinder having a irusto-com'cal chamber, aflexible diaphragm seated therein and held against displacement, and aplunger supported by the diaphragm operative to intermittently place thediaphragm under compression.

